# NTSB CHI97LA247: Champion 7KCAB, N5066X, Hampshire, IL, August 5, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1997, 13:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Hampshire, IL - Coordinates: 42.09024, -88.520828 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0902&lon=-88.5208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10662 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10662/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA247 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing, and his excessive use of brakes, which resulted in a nose over. Factors relating to the accident were: the crosswind condition, and the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was landing after towing and releasing a glider. The wind was from 020 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot said, 'I landed to the west, runway 27, on the Sky Soaring [airport] grass strip and was slowing down to a speed at which the rudder had lost effectiveness. The airplane started a slight ground loop toward the right (north), which I corrected by use of the left heel brake. But, the airplane was still headed 15 to 20 degrees right of the runway centerline, toward a glider tied down on the north side of the field. I stepped on both heel brakes to stop the forward movement, and the airplane nosed over and ended on its back.' Examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies. The pilot had only about 7 hours in this make and model of airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1997, at 1355 central daylight time (cdt), a Champion 7KCAB, N5066X, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when on landing, control of the airplane was lost. The airplane subsequently nosed over coming to rest on its back. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial towing flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Hampshire, Illinois, at 1345 cdt. In his written statement, the pilot said that he was landing after towing and releasing a glider. "I landed to the west, runway 27, on the Sky Soaring [airport] grass strip and was slowing down to a speed at which the rudder had lost effectiveness. The airplane started a slight ground loop toward the right (north), which I corrected by use of the left heel brake. But, the airplane was still headed 15 to 20 degrees right of the runway centerline, toward a glider tied down on the north side of the field. I stepped on both heel brakes to stop the forward movement, and the airplane nosed over and ended on its back." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane, found the right wing broken at the wing root. The right wing tip was crushed in and aft. Both wing struts were bent inward. The engine cowling was bent upward and broken open. The engine and engine mounts were bent up and aft. One of the two propeller blade was bent aft at the tip. The spinner was crushed inward. The windscreen was cracked and pushed inward. The top of the rudder was crushed inward slightly. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were found with the engine, engine controls, brakes or any other airplane system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5066X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5066X), registered now, S/N 149, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7KCAB - Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 149 - Airframe hours: 2224 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Northern Il Soaring Assn. Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, July 4, 1997, 21 hours before - Airport: 55LL, Sky Soaring, runway 27, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 703 total, 7 in this make and model, 531 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970805023679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970805023679A), Aug 5, 1997: Bbavia 7KCAB, Union, IL, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was landing after towing and releasing a glider. The wind was from 020 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot said, 'I landed to the west, runway 27, on… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.